Event Location:
ECPI College of Technology
4305 Cox Rd
Richmond, Virginia
Abstract:
It happens to everyone. One day your database is humming along quietly serving up choice nuggets of information quickly and efficiently while growing at a slow, steady rate. Then next day, your database has quadrupled in size and performance has ground to a halt as the system strains under the load. Management is screaming for answers and you're coworkers are running in circles screaming for their lives. In this session, we will examine best practices to apply to databases that grow to become very large databases (VLDB). From hardware configurations (IO, CPU, RAM) to database and index design and partitioning strategies, we will examine which solutions and strategies help and which ones hinder our database on its road to recovery.
Speaker(s): Brett Tomson,
Abstract:
Many of today’s business applications feature dozens of interfaces feeding a central database. Interface source-to-target mapping is now common practice, but if there are many interfaces how do you make sure the work of separate teams on tight timelines dovetails smoothly and avoids the all too common death march of correction and rework? This presentation shows how normalized metadata can help coordinate team efforts, recording data requirements, the target data model, interface sources, source to target mappings, and relationships among analysis components, and enable an effective division of labor that promotes team efficiency, improves planning, and provides the best possible product for developers and testers.
Speaker(s): Bob Lambert,
Abstract:
This presentation is about what to expect before you start database design and what to do if you don't get it. We, as SQL Server Database professionals, apply technology solutions to meet business needs. The problem is that sometimes we're expected to meet business needs that aren't well defined, or not defined at all. Attendees will learn about the requirements side of data modeling and how it prepares a database developer to design and build the right solution. Then, the presentation will cover typical scenarios where critical business definition elements are missing and what the database professional can do make up for the missing requirements pieces and produce a successful result.
Speaker(s): Bob Lambert,
Abstract:
This session will provide an overview of Service Brokers, which provides asynchronous messaging capabilities in the SQL Server environment. We will discuss when it is appropriate to use service brokers as well as how to create and manage them. During the session we will build a simple service broker implementation so we can see brokers in action.
Speaker(s): Dan Crawford,
Abstract:
In this session I will give an overview of how to design a database, including the common normal forms and why they should matter to you if you are creating or modifying SQL Server databases. Data should be easy to work with in SQL Server if the database has been organized as close as possible to the standards of normalization that have proven for many years. Many common T-SQL programming "difficulties" are the result of struggling against the way data should be structured and can be avoided by applying the basic normalization techniques and are obvious things that you find yourself struggling with time and again (i.e. using the SUBSTRING function in a WHERE clause meaning you can't use an index efficiently).
Speaker(s): Louis Davidson,
Abstract:
Want to know what makes SQL Server tick? Ever wonder what SQL Server is doing when you run a query? Ever wonder which parts of SQL Server are responsible for specific functionality? Want to know what a HOBT is? I can't promise answers to every question, but I can set you on the path to knowledge about the inner workings of SQL Server.
Speaker(s): Jeremiah Peschka,
Abstract:
Learn how to create reports by retrieving data from SQL Server Analysis Services cubes. This session will cover setup and layout fundamentals, but will primarily focus on using the Analysis Services MDX Query Designer in both Design and Query modes to meet common reporting requirements.
Speaker(s): Tom Robinson,
Abstract:
Dynamic SQL is a misunderstood and much maligned part of a DBA’s tool kit – it can be used to solve difficult business problems, respond to diverse data needs, and alleviate performance problems. Many DBAs reject dynamic SQL outright as a potential source of SQL injections, being poorly performing, or just for being a hacky solution in general. Not so! Jeremiah Peschka has been making extensive use of dynamic SQL throughout his career to solve a variety of problems. He’ll set about dispelling these misconceptions and demonstrate how dynamic SQL can become a part of every DBA’s tool kit.
Speaker(s): Jeremiah Peschka,
Abstract:
Many DBAs and developers are faced with tuning poorly performing SQL statements. There is no way to learn everything you need to know about SQL tuning in an hour, but you can learn a process to employ when badly written SQLs are ruining database performance. However, many tuning projects fail because the process being used is inefficient. This presentation will walk through a process Confio Software uses with great success and will include topics such as: SQL diagramming, wait type data, column selectivity, and several more that will help you succeed on future tuning projects.
Speaker(s): Janis Griffin,
Abstract:
After an overview of partitioning and how to set up partition functions schemes we'll take a look at how to load data and instantly switch it into production without significant impact to your database availability. Topics covered: Partition Functions Schemes Creating partitioned tables The $partition function Switch Statement and system tables for viewing partition information
Speaker(s): Michael Femenella,
Abstract:
This presentation will provide an introduction to the spatial data capabilities that were introduced in SQL Server 2008. We will examine the spatial data types and indexes. Then we will look at how to work with these data types, including loading data, querying spatial data, and generating reports with spatial data. We will also discuss interacting with spatial data types from a .Net application.
Speaker(s): Dan Crawford,
Abstract:
This session will cover the different forms of compression in SQL 2008, Backup and Data compression. The session will also explore best practices and how to overcome some of the limitations within the different compression technologies.
Speaker(s): Ashton Hobbs,
Abstract:
In this presentation Steve Wright will discuss methods used to manage memory in SQL Server Analysis Services, focusing primarily on memory limits and preallocation. He will also present some examples from the field of performance issues due to mis-configuration, how they were identified, and ultimately resolved.
Speaker(s): Steven Wright,
Abstract:
Most administrative functions consist of repetitive sequences of tasks which just take time. PowerShell is a powerful scripting environment which allows an administrator to automate those repetitive tasks, providing better results to the organization while saving the administrator time, and ensuring that the tasks get done properly every time. This session will give an introduction to PowerShell and demonstrate a number of scripts which help SQL Server administrators effectively manage their environments.
Speaker(s): Allen White,
Abstract:
This session will walk through several real life examples of how SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS) was used to meet some interesting requirements quite easily that might have otherwise been difficult for a DBA to accomplish. Along the way, we will offer up some tips, tricks, and best practices found to be useful by a DBA that has worked extensively with SSIS for over four years.
Speaker(s): Brian Garraty,
Abstract:
This is a beginning to intermediate level presentation that aims to enlighten users of some of the more useful yet underutilized features of SQL Server Management Studio 2008. There will be explanations of the features and techniques as well as simple demonstrations throughout. This session provides something for both DBAs and developers of TSQL alike.
Speaker(s): Jason Hall,
Abstract:
Beyond database design fundamentals (for example, Normalization) lies the area where you have to create "real" solutions. In this session, I will cover a good number of patterns that we commonly find useful to try to apply to the problem of building a database solution. Ideas like generalization, subclassing, single table domain tables, optional data, and more will be discussed, some of them good, some not so good (don't assume which will be which), but all that are common and/or useful for your database implementations.
Speaker(s): Louis Davidson,
Abstract:
This session will present the basic design of a data warehouse cube from the Data Source View, through Dimensional Design, Fact Table design and the use of Time Intelligence and basic Calculated measures.
Speaker(s): Tom Robinson,
Abstract:
We all know how important it is to keep a baseline of performance metrics that allow us to know when something is wrong and help us to track it down and fix the problem. We don't always know how to do this easily and consistently. This session will walk you through a series of PowerShell scripts you can schedule which will capture the most important data and a set of reports to show you how to use that data to keep your server running smoothly.
Speaker(s): Allen White,
Abstract:
With the list of features of SQL Server growing constantly the need to sandbox and test drive features in a separate environment that can communicate with but not interfere with your existing environment has become vital. With virtualization, setting up consistent test, dev, and even sandbox environments can happen minutes instead of hours AND be consistent with previous/ existing environments. In this session we will focus on Microsoft Virtualization solutions that you can leverage starting with your desktop/laptop and extending to your server environments. Even if you aren’t going to be doing the virtualization yourself it’s good to know what your options are.
Speaker(s): Aaron Nelson,
Abstract:
Everything I wish someone had told me when I started with SQL Server years ago. An overview of using profiler to capture events Clustered, non clustered, covering indexes, looking at query plans (rid lookup, key lookup, scans vs seeks) When to use a table variable vs temp table
Speaker(s): Michael Femenella,
Abstract:
Change Data Capture (CDC) is one of the very best features of SQL Server 2008. It's is easy to set up and it essentially makes the transaction logs for your databases both persistent and queryable. Versioning your data has never been easier. But there are dozens of tools for tuning and reporting on CDC that are either undocumented or "loosely" documented by Microsoft. During this session, Brock will show you 20 tips and tricks for making your CDC implementations much richer and easier to maintain.
Speaker(s): Brock Beatty,
Abstract:
Join us to find out how you can use tools that have no cost (either free or part of SQL Server) to build web site usage analysis reports. We'll use Microsoft's free tool, LogParser to load the data into SQL Server, then we'll use SQL Server Reporting Services to build reports of that data. Finally, we'll deliver those reports inside SharePoint, using SQL Server Reporting Services running in SharePoint Integrated Mode.
Speaker(s): Susan Lennon,
Abstract:
Microsoft SQL Server 2008 was released to much fanfare, excitement and anticipation. The bevy of enhancements made to the various components coupled with sweeping performance gains made SQL Server 2008 one of the most competitive and feature-rich database platforms on the market. In this session, we will examine the enhancements made to Reporting Services in SQL Server 2008 as well as what changes to expect in R2 slated for release in early 2010.
Speaker(s): Brett Tomson,
This is a list of speakers from the XML Guidebook records. The details and URLs were valid at the time of the event.
Contact: http://robertlambert.net
Bob Lambert, a consultant with CapTech Consulting with over 25 year experience in data management, business intelligence, application development, and system architecture, is an accomplished database professional who since 2003 has worked with SQL Server 2000, 2005, and 2008. In recent assignments he has served as a project lead/data architect on data management/business intelligence projects in health care, real estate, and financial services. Bob's previous projects include serving as technical project manager on a pioneering data warehouse for the Navy Bureau of Medicine and developing and administering an extensive data management/BI training program for a Fortune 200 financial services company. Bob has published a number of articles on topics as varied as row-level security, project management, data management, and systems analysis. He speaks at SQLSaturday and Code Camp events, has taught data modeling-related topics for over 15 years, and currently teaches data modeling in Virginia Commonwealth University's Executive MS in IT program.
Mike has been a SQL Server developer/dba/architect for over 15 years. He's worked for several Fortune 500 companies including Sprint, Nextel and Bank of America and specializes in working with big data. He lives in Matthews, NC with his wife, 4 kids and 3 dogs. He has spoken at SQLSaturday in Atlanta and Richmond and he travels to SQLSaturdays for some quiet time!
Contact: http://brentozar.com
Jeremiah sees the magic in technology. He knows how to do things now, and he also knows how to think about possibilities. Jeremiah likes to imagine new kinds of indexes, new kinds of teams, new kinds of applications — this means when you need to reinvent something, or get unblocked, you should talk to Jeremiah.
Contact: http://www.linkedin.com/in/brockbeatty
Brock Beatty is a data integration consultant with over 6 years of experience implementing solutions in the financial and health care industries. Brock has built integration solutions for companies such as Capital One Financial, Suntrust Banks and Wellpoint. He is a Sr. Consultant at CapTech Ventures in Richmond VA and works in their Data Integration Practice.
Ashton has been working with SQL Server since SQL Server 6.5 and earlier versions of Sybase. Ashton is also the original creator and developer of ApexSQL Edit, a Gold Award winner from SQL Magazine. Ashton is currently consulting and speaking in addition to working on new SQL Server based products and tools.
Contact: http://wss.lennontechnologies.com/blog
Susan Lennon is an independent consultant / Microsoft Certified Trainer. She has been an independent for seven years and has been working on US Navy projects during that time. The last five years have all been involved with architecting SharePoint solutions for the Navy. Susan has certifications as an MCT, IT PRO Database Admin, MCTS SharePoint and MCSD .NET. Susan is deeply committed to the development community and helps run three user groups in VA and is a frequent speaker at Code Camps.
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/pub/allen-white-sql-server-mvp/5/784/b08/
Contact: http://dataperfpro.com/blog/
Allen White is a Data Platform consultant. He has been both a developer and an administrator, so he understands both perspectives towards database technology. He loves sharing his experiences and helping people learn how to use SQL Server. Allen has spent over 40 years in IT, using SQL Server since 1992, and has been awarded Microsoft’s MVP Award for the last 13 years. Allen was a PASS Director from 2016 - 2018.
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/louisdavidson
Contact: https://www.red-gate.com/simple-talk/author/louis-davidson/
Louis Davidson has worked in the IT industry for over 25 years as a corporate database developer and architect. He has been a Microsoft SQL Server MVP for 15 years and has written five books on database design, and contributed to many other SQL Server books as an author and tech editor. He has a bachelor's degree in Computer Science from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. You can read more about Louis at http://drsql.org.
Contact: http://www.linkedin.com/in/briangarraty
Brian Garraty is a DBA for Virginia Beach City Public Schools. Brian has over 10 years of experience working with SQL Server, having spent the past 5 as a full-time DBA. Prior to switching to the DBA role, Brian worked primarily as a Windows and web developer. Brian is an MCITP: Database Administrator.
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonryonhall
Contact: http://blogs.sqlsentry.com/jasonhall
Jason Hall (@SQLSaurus) leads SentryOne's Product Management team, which is responsible for managing product design, development and delivery. Jason has worked in varied technology roles for over 20 years and holds industry certifications including MCSE (legacy), MCSD, MCTS, MCPD, and PMC-III.
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/pub/allen-white-sql-server-mvp/5/784/b08/
Contact: http://dataperfpro.com/blog/
Allen White is a Data Platform consultant. He has been both a developer and an administrator, so he understands both perspectives towards database technology. He loves sharing his experiences and helping people learn how to use SQL Server. Allen has spent over 40 years in IT, using SQL Server since 1992, and has been awarded Microsoft’s MVP Award for the last 13 years. Allen was a PASS Director from 2016 - 2018.
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-wright-0047773
Contact: https://blogs.sentryone.com/author/StevenWright/
Steve currently serves as Director of Advanced Analytics at SentryOne. As a member of the SentryOne team for over 13 years, Steve has broad experience working in various environments supporting the Microsoft Data Platform both on-prem and in the cloud. Steve has earned the Microsoft Professional Program Data Science Certification and manages a team of Data Scientists and BI Developers in support of SentryOne's internal and product facing advanced analytics initiatives.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sqlvariant
Contact: http://sqlvariant.com/
Aaron Nelson is an author, public speaker, blogger, and leader in the community. He has over 15 years of experience in architecture, Business Intelligence, development, and performance tuning of SQL Server. Aaron has received many certifications and is a six time winner of the Microsoft MVP Award. Aaron leads the PowerShell Virtual Group of PASS (SQLPS.io), is a board member of PowerShell.org, and is a volunteer at his PASS Local Group, AtlantaMDF.
Contact: http://brentozar.com
Jeremiah sees the magic in technology. He knows how to do things now, and he also knows how to think about possibilities. Jeremiah likes to imagine new kinds of indexes, new kinds of teams, new kinds of applications — this means when you need to reinvent something, or get unblocked, you should talk to Jeremiah.
Brett Tomson is an independent consultant specializing in delivering solutions using the Microsoft Business Intelligence stack and related .NET technologies. He is an accomplished architect and developer of large-scale enterprise systems as well as an author and mentor to others. Brett has been using SQL Server actively for the past 12 years and is the Chapter Leader of the Triangle SQL Server User Group (http://www.tripass.org).
Contact: http://www.insindy.com
Dan Crawford is a Sr Consultant with Integrated Network Strategies in Carmel, Indiana. He has been developing software professionally since 1991 and has been working with SQL Server since 1996. Dan specializes in system integration and data-centric system development for the health care industry.
Tom Robinson is currently a business intelligence consultant with Ironworks Consulting in Glen Allen, VA. As an Ironworks consultant, Tom has worked primarily on BI solutions involving SQL Server Analysis Services and SQL Integration Services. Prior to Ironworks, Tom was a Director of IT for Data Services at a finance company where he implemented business intelligence solutions including dashboards. Tom has MCTS (SQL Server 2008 BI), MCSD, and MCDBA Microsoft certifications.
Mike has been a SQL Server developer/dba/architect for over 15 years. He's worked for several Fortune 500 companies including Sprint, Nextel and Bank of America and specializes in working with big data. He lives in Matthews, NC with his wife, 4 kids and 3 dogs. He has spoken at SQLSaturday in Atlanta and Richmond and he travels to SQLSaturdays for some quiet time!
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/louisdavidson
Contact: https://www.red-gate.com/simple-talk/author/louis-davidson/
Louis Davidson has worked in the IT industry for over 25 years as a corporate database developer and architect. He has been a Microsoft SQL Server MVP for 15 years and has written five books on database design, and contributed to many other SQL Server books as an author and tech editor. He has a bachelor's degree in Computer Science from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. You can read more about Louis at http://drsql.org.
Brett Tomson is an independent consultant specializing in delivering solutions using the Microsoft Business Intelligence stack and related .NET technologies. He is an accomplished architect and developer of large-scale enterprise systems as well as an author and mentor to others. Brett has been using SQL Server actively for the past 12 years and is the Chapter Leader of the Triangle SQL Server User Group (http://www.tripass.org).
Contact: http://www.insindy.com
Dan Crawford is a Sr Consultant with Integrated Network Strategies in Carmel, Indiana. He has been developing software professionally since 1991 and has been working with SQL Server since 1996. Dan specializes in system integration and data-centric system development for the health care industry.
Tom Robinson is currently a business intelligence consultant with Ironworks Consulting in Glen Allen, VA. As an Ironworks consultant, Tom has worked primarily on BI solutions involving SQL Server Analysis Services and SQL Integration Services. Prior to Ironworks, Tom was a Director of IT for Data Services at a finance company where he implemented business intelligence solutions including dashboards. Tom has MCTS (SQL Server 2008 BI), MCSD, and MCDBA Microsoft certifications.
Contact: http://robertlambert.net
Bob Lambert, a consultant with CapTech Consulting with over 25 year experience in data management, business intelligence, application development, and system architecture, is an accomplished database professional who since 2003 has worked with SQL Server 2000, 2005, and 2008. In recent assignments he has served as a project lead/data architect on data management/business intelligence projects in health care, real estate, and financial services. Bob's previous projects include serving as technical project manager on a pioneering data warehouse for the Navy Bureau of Medicine and developing and administering an extensive data management/BI training program for a Fortune 200 financial services company. Bob has published a number of articles on topics as varied as row-level security, project management, data management, and systems analysis. He speaks at SQLSaturday and Code Camp events, has taught data modeling-related topics for over 15 years, and currently teaches data modeling in Virginia Commonwealth University's Executive MS in IT program.
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/pub/janis-griffin/0/914/aba
Janis Griffin has over 30 years of DBA/database experience including design, development and implementation of many critical database applications. Before coming to Quest Software, Janis primarily worked in the Telecom/Network Industry, working with both real-time network routing databases and OLTP business to business applications. Janis also held positions as a Principal Architect and Senior Manager, mentoring other DBAs on best practices in database performance tuning.
The following is a list of sponsors that helped fund the event.